"Don't Pity Me" was a hit for Faith Hope & Charity in 1978. A Van McCoy composition, it made it onto the Billboard, Cash Box, and Record World music charts.
Background Early version Former 1976 Eurovision British contestant Louisa Jane WhiteShropshire Star, Sept 30, 2019 - Singing schoolgirl knocked on door of stardom by Toby Neal recorded a version of the song as the B side of her single "Don't Stop" which was released on Pye 7N 45661 in 1977. It was produced by Gerry Shury and Ron Roker.DYANERO - Louisa Jane White - Don't Stop / Don't Pity Me Album Faith Hope & Charity version The Faith Hope & Charity single was released on 20th Century TC-2370. In addition to composing the song, Van McCoy also produced it.Record World, July 22, 1978 - Page 333 FAITH HOPE & CHARITY DON'T PITY MERecord World, May 13, 1978 - Page 22 RECORD WORLD SINGLE PICKS
With Faith Hope & Charity now consisting of Brenda Hilliard and Albert Bailey, their 1978, self-titled album was their 20th Century Fox debut. In the Billboard review of the album, Adam White commented on the 1970s sound of Van McCoy as reaching its peak of perfection in Faith Hope & Charity. White named "Don't Pity Me" as the album's finest cut. The lead vocal was by Brenda Hilliard.Billboard, July 8, 1978 - Page 78 Closeup, FAITH HOPE & CHARITY The B side, "Find What You Need" was sung by Albert Bailey.funkmysoul - Faith Hope & Charity – 1970 – Faith Hope & Charity (Maxwell)Billboard, July 8, 1978 - Page 78 Closeup, FAITH HOPE & CHARITY
Two former Faith Hope & Charity members, Zulema and Destry contributed their backing vocals to the album.The Second Disc, AUGUST 22, 2014 - You Gotta Have Faith (Hope, and Charity): Real Gone Reissues Lost R&B Gems BY JOE MARCHESEBillboard, July 8, 1978 - Page 78 Closeup, FAITH HOPE & CHARITY
While "Don't Pity Me" was seeing chart action, another Van McCoy composition "My Favorite Fantasy by McCoy was seeing action in the same Billboard and Cash Box charts.Catalog of Copyright Entries, Third Series: 1977 - Page 2224Billboard - Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, WEEK OF JUNE 17, 1978Cash Box, June 24, 1978 - Page 40 CASH BOX TOP 100 R&B Charts Faith Hope & Charity The song made its debut in the Cash Box Top 100 R&B chart on week ending May 27, 1978.Cash Box, May 27, 1978 - Page 46 CASH BOX TOP 100 R&B May 27, 1978 On August 12 at week twelve, it peaked at #12.Cash Box, August 12, 1978 - Page 38 CASH BOX TOP 100 R&B August 12, 1978Cash Box, August 19, 1978 - Page 46 CASHBOX TOP 100 R&B August 19, 1978
The song made its debut in the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart at #85 on the week ending June 3, 1978.Billboard, June 3, 1978 - Page 58 Billboard Hot Soul Singles, Billboard SPECIAL SURVEY For Week Ending 6/3/78 On its tenth week it peaked at #20 on week ending August 5.Billboard, August 5, 1978 - Page 56 Billboard Hot Soul Singles, Billboard Special Survey For Week Ending 8/5/78Billboard, August 12, 1978 - Page 60 Billboard Hot Soul Singles, Billboard SPECIAL SURVEY For Week Ending 8/12/78
On the week of June 17, the single made its debut at #68 in the Record World R&B Singles chart.Record World, June 17, 1978 - Page 62 June 17, 1978 RECORD WORLD R&B SINGLES CHART It peaked at #15 on August 12 at its ninth week.Record World, August 12, 1978 - Page 89 RECORD WORLD R&B SINGLES CHART August 12, 1978Record World, August 19, 1978 - Page 51 RECORD WORLD R&B SINGLES CHART August 19, 1978 It was also in the 101 - 150 Singles chart on July 15 at #141.Record World, July 15, 1978 - Page 30 101 THE SINGLES CHART 150 The following week, July 22, it had entered the Record World Singles chart at #92.Record World, July 22, 1978 - Page 339 July 22, 1978 RECORD WORLD SINGLES CHART It peaked at #84 on August 12.Record World, August 12, 1978 - Page 39 August 12, 1978 RECORD WORLD SINGLES CHARTRecord World, August 19, 1978 - Page 37 August 19, 1978 RECORD WORLD SINGLES CHART
Chart (1978) Peakposition US Cash Box Top 100 R&B12Cash Box, August 12, 1978 - Page 38 CASH BOX TOP 100 R&B August 12, 1978Cash Box, August 19, 1978 - Page 46 CASHBOX TOP 100 R&B August 19, 1978 US Billboard Hot Soul Singles 20Billboard, August 5, 1978 - Page 56 Billboard Hot Soul Singles, Billboard Special Survey For Week Ending 8/5/78Billboard, August 12, 1978 - Page 60 Billboard Hot Soul Singles, Billboard SPECIAL SURVEY For Week Ending 8/12/78 US Record World R&B Singles 15Record World, August 12, 1978 - Page 89 RECORD WORLD R&B SINGLES CHART August 12, 1978Record World, August 19, 1978 - Page 51 RECORD WORLD R&B SINGLES CHART August 19, 1978 US Record World 101 - 150 Singles 141Record World, July 15, 1978 - Page 30 101 THE SINGLES CHART 150Record World, July 22, 1978 - Page 330 101 THE SINGLES CHART 150 US Record World Singles84Record World, August 12, 1978 - Page 39 August 12, 1978 RECORD WORLD SINGLES CHARTRecord World, August 19, 1978 - Page 37 August 19, 1978 RECORD WORLD SINGLES CHART
Other versions A version was recorded by Thelma Houston and released on Tamla Motown TMG 1117 in 1978.LESCHARTS.COM - THELMA HOUSTON - DON'T PITY ME (CHANSON)Complete Recorded Music™ - Motown (Tamla Motown/Motown/Gordy UK 45s: TMG Prefix Series: 501-1390 (1965-1985)), TMG 1117 Don't Pity Me // It's Just Me Feeling Good
Further reading Billboard, July 8, 1978 - Page 78 Closeup, Faith Hope & Charity review
References
External links soulpowerpuffgirl channel - faith hope & charity - dont pity me Metropolitan Soul channel - Dont Pity Me ~ Louisa Jane White Thelma Houston - Topic channel - Don't Pity Me ny Thelma Houston